Tag Archives: Miss World Philippines

First and foremost, let me say my congratulations to the new Miss World Philippines queens most especially to Katarina Rodriguez who successfuly managed to secured the rights to represent the country in China this December!

Now, let’s talk about that dangerously designed stage – lol. Seriously, whoever thought of that probably was hoping someone would fall off the two gaping holes in the middle! Kidding! Luckily, nobody did. The lighting and camera works was okay but not as good as last year’s edition. The whole thing just looks like a super-sized runway.

The MCs for the event are Miss World 1993 2nd Princess Ruffa Guttierez, GMA Artist Carla Abellana and Mister World 2012 Francisco Escobar. I thought Ruffa and Carla did a decent job engaging the contestants since they got to interview each winner of the fast track events which was rather tedious if I may just say so myself.

Francisco Escobar on the other hand was a total eye-candy but he seriously needs to do some workshop if he wanted to continue doing these stuff! It was so awkward and almost painful watching him! I know that English isn’t his first language but since he’s well-traveled and he’s been based in New York for a while now, I thought he’d be more articulate to say the least.

Introduction: The 2017 queens led the the very long dance sequence before the introduction of the 40 candidates. The contestants look cute with their opening dresses but the introduction felt stilted and the audio was not that good. The mic could barely pick up their voices.

Top 10 Question & Answer portion was facilitated by Ruffa and Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehman who both did a great job in this segment by the way.

#5 – Kim De Guzman – A pageant party answer. She’s one of the girls I really liked before the Q&A. She should practice more because her answer was a generic answer that is very much forgettable.

#23 – Marianne Marquez – She gave a very practical and specific answer. Not as ‘pageant patty’ as most girls but still forgettable.

#32 – Kylah Sanchez – I loved her composure despite being only 16! Can you believe that? 16! She gave a decent answer, though the delivery could’ve been more precise.

#34 – Danielle Joie Magno – She was asked about crypto currency and I was like??!! Wtf? Her answer reminded me a bit of Pia Wurtzbach’s answer during the top 6 q&a of the Miss Universe 2015. It wasn’t very convincing but she was able to pull it off in a way that doesn’t make her sound like a dumb blonde.

1st Princess: #39 Chanel Morales – I do loved the sincerity in her voice. I thought she deserved her 1st runner-up placing. Her answer about shaming is beautiful! It may sound rehearsed to some but I thought it was one of the most hearfelt answers that night.

Miss Multinational Philippines 2018: Kimilei Mugford – It’s obvious that she’s very articulate and English is also obviously her first language. I personally thought she did better than Muhlach and should have gotten the RHA title but at the end of the day, she’s still a winner!

Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018: Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez – She gave a very convincing answer about discrimation against women in the workplace but it wasn’t as eloquent in comparison to Kimi or Kata.

Miss Eco Philippines: Maureen Montagne – I find her answer a bit disappointing because she was just getting round and round. I wished she could’ve worded her answers differently or maybe she was just nervous?

Miss World Philippines 2018: Katarina Rodriguez – I do loved the casual way she answered her question. Along with Kimilei, I thought she delivered her answer full of sincerity despite almost sounding like it’s a memorized answer. I do trust her gift of gab, though, so I am happy that the judges made the right call to crown her the new Miss World Philippines!

Overall, it was a good program. It’s not as grand as last year – production-wise but it’s apt with the whole concept of Miss World. I loved how the ‘Beauty with a purpose’ theme was heavily mentioned throughout the night. Plus, we’ve got a new set of lovely queens that I’m sure would make us very proud yet again in the pageant arena!

Katarina Rodriguez now has the task to bring the blue crown back to the Philippines. After besting 39 other candidates for the top plum last night at the finals night of the Miss World Philippines 2018, this former Binibining Pilipinas queen and Asia’s Next Top Model alumnus will battle it out in Sanya, China to put the Philippines in the “World” stage (quite literally) again! If successful, she will be succeeding Manushi Chhillar of India and will become the second Miss World winner after Megan Young snatched the elusive blue crown back in 2013 in Bali.

Katarina will be armed with training from her Aces & Queens family and a wardrobe most likely filled with Francis Libiran creations. With her gift of gab and enchanting beauty, Katarina is ready to win it all vs the World!

Katarina Rodriguez first gained popularity as a contestant in the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model in 2014 where she finished third next to fellow Filipina contestants Jodilly Pendre and eventual winner Sheena Liam of Malaysia.

Fast forward to 2017, Katarina joined the Binibining Pilipinas – the premiere beauty pageant in the country and easily became one of the contenders for the top plum – the Miss Universe Philippines. She still emerged victorious but as our representative for Miss Intercontinental 2017.

At the Miss Intercontinental 2017 edition held earlier this year in Egypt, she was touted to easily pick up our first title from said pageant but the stars are not in our favor as she settled for a runner-up finish next to Veronica Salas of Mexico. There was a bit of an outrage but like the true queen she is, Katarina easily pacified her fans with a very heartfelt post about her experience in Egypt.

from Katarina’s Instagram

Earlier this week, the screening of the Miss World Philippines 2018 was held in Manila and unsurprisingly, Katarina showed up as she’s been hinting for months that she’s still open to joining other pageants this year. This feisty model is now embarking on her journey towards the Blue Crown but it won’t be an easy one as she has to beat 39 other candidates first in order to set foot in China this December for the 2018 Miss World pageant.

via Katja’s Twitter

What are Katarina’s chances in finally snagging the top title this year? I adore this girl! I loved her fighting spirit and her positive disposition kahit mukha daw siyang maldita. Hahaha! I loved how she could easily socialize with everyone and I think that’d be one of her advantages in the national pageant and if the stars will align in her favor – hopefully towards her road to bring back the blue crown to the country!

Miss Filipinas Teresita ‘Winwyn’ Marquez is definitely gaining momentum on her road to winning the first ever Reina Hispanoamericana crown this Saturday, November 4 in Sta. Cruz dela Sierra, Bolivia.

Although lacking Spanish fluency, Winwyn’s charm is still winning judges and sponsors left and right in the on-going pre-pageant activities. She recently won the title of Miss Ipanema and was adjudged 1st runner-up Miss Personality.

Also, don’t forget to engage her on social media especially on Facebook since there’s still the Multimedia fast track that could help her advance to the semis in the Miss World finals on November 18 Live from the Sanya City Arena.

I’ve been regularly checking updates about the new Miss World Philippines franchise since Madam Cory Quirino ended the contract with the Miss World Organization and the controversy-laden pageant is now under the helm of Arnold Vegafria as its new National Director.

I’ve only followed the rest of the proceedings through social media and I’ve only seen a couple of them in person. Interestingly enough, it was the eventual top 2 – Laura Lehman whom I had a close encounter with during the press conference of the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Winners and Teresita Ssen Marquez whom I’ve seen live during the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 proceedings.

I’ve watched the finals thru a live streaming on Facebook and the very delayed telecast on GMA 7. The show was hosted by Carla Abellana, Iya Villania-Arellano, KC Montero and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

I really loved Carla doing this kind of gig. She’s so eloquent and calm. Some may find her boring but I actually find it refreshing since this is the kind of beauty pageant that’s more on the subdued side.

Iya Villania, KC Montero and Carla Abellana

Iya Villania on the other hand was her opposite. She’s a seasoned emcee as well as KC Montero so it’s not surprising that they’d do well. Somehow they balanced out Carla’s calm demeanor in hosting.

Megan during the Top 10 Q& A with the eventual winner of the top plum!

Miss World 2013 Megan Young facilitated the final question and answer portion of the event and she was her usual charming self! She should host all of our national beauty pageants to be honest! She’s so good!

#15 – Laura Victoria Lehmann – Laura’s gift of gab sealed the deal for her after battling Cynthia and Teresita all throughout the night, it all came down to this very crucial question and answer portion. Her answer reminds me so much of Lara Dutta’s answer during the Miss Universe 2000 in a roundabout way.

#9 – Teresita Ssen Marquez – She’s my favorite from the get go but I guess Laura got majority of the judges favor since Wynwyn’s sweet and somehow very “rehearsed-sounding” answer fell short. It was still one of the best answers of the night though and she looked absolutely ravishing!

#32 – Cynthia Thomalla – If she had delivered her answer with confidence, she could have gotten the top plum because, damn girl is so effervescent on stage! I need to see her on a Binibining Pilipinas stage in the future!

#35 – Sophia Señoron – She gave a very good answer but I think what the judges saw in her is her sincerity more than anything else. It’s obvious that she’s real smart and still looks very young but there’s something about her that is very charming thus usurping early favorites for the four crowns at stake.

#3 – Glyssa Perez– She gave a really good albeit a forgettable answer.

#24 – Zara Carbonell – She’s very eloquent and I loved her styling! She probably just fell short of votes from the judges to win one of the crowns.

#28 – Sheila Marie Reyes – There’s really nothing wrong with religious-themed answers but it tends to not go well with the audience especially in beauty pageants. It’s just so pageant patty.

#6 – Jona Ili Sweett – She had one of the most difficult questions in my opinion. Cmon’ she’s not Mother Teresa.

#14 – Cristina Marie Coloma – She’s pretty enough and her answer was okay but just not strong enough.

#26 – Janela Joy Cuaton – I loved her but her answer for me was the weakest.

After the incident last year in the US when our dear Catriona was robbed of a crown (yes, please you haters we all know she was fucking robbed so shut your trap), a lot of Filipino pageant fans were outraged and right at this moment (including moi) are still mad as hell so what do I think of Laura’s chances in Sanya, China this year? I think she’d do well this time. For one, Julia Morley is eager to please the Filipino pageant fans and pundits again. Philippines after all is her “favorite country” *rolls-eyes*.

One more thing going for Laura’s favor is the sudden political upturn of China and the Philippines’ relationship. Even if you think our on and off rift with China wasn’t a factor in the past – think again. I still think that it plays a part for our delegates – can you believe that? A beauty pageant! Haha!

Lastly, Laura may not be as well-rounded as Catriona but she’s a very worthy delegate. She got the beauty and the brains. Let’s just hope that Lola Julia will favor her come Miss World this year.

She will be the first Filipina to participate in the Latina-dominated pageant and it’s not an easy task for her but knowing WynWyn, I know that she’d do her best to learn Spanish and impress everyone the way she did in the national pageants back in 2015 and this year.

Miss ECO Philippines 2017 #32 – Cynthia Thomalla. No comment. She should just resign and join the Binibining Pilipinas 2018. Kidding! I’ve no idea about her pageant but she’d be sent out to Egypt! Pretty swell if you ask me! A free trip and if she end up winning it! Double whammy!

Miss Multinational Philippines 2017 #35 – Sophia Señoron. Congratulations! Not very sure as well about her pageant assignment but she’s be shipped to India for Miss Multinational. I hope she’d do well!

1st Princess #3 – Glyssa Perez and 2nd Princess #24 – Zara Carbonell

Lastly, thank you my dear Catriona – you made us proud in your journey with or without a crown – you are still our Miss World ❤

Here’s what Miss Philippines Valerie Weigmann wore during the Top Model fast track event of the on-going Miss World 2014 in London.

Val for the World Designer Award representing a creation from Michael Cinco via missworld.com

This yellow ball gown was designed by Michael Cinco. Reigning Miss World Megan Young won this fast track event last year in Bali.

Trivia: Back in 2012, Michael Cinco’s creation for Queenerich Rehman won the World Designer Award.

Update: Unfortunately, Val was not part of the Top 20 finalists for the Top Model Event. Based on recent Miss World trends, making an impression in this fast track event is a good indication of making it very far in the competition but I think it’s too early to tell that this would prevent Val from getting ahead since there are still fast track events in store for the girls plus the all-important judges one-on-one interview. Let’s just keep supporting Valerie and pray that she’d do all throughout the competition 🙂

Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann left for London last November 20 to compete for this year’s edition of Miss World where fellow Filipina Megan Young is the current title holder. Valerie knows that there’s pressure for her to continue the winning streak of the country in the said pageant and it looks like she’s up for the challenge to make it a back-to-back win for the Philippines.

So here’s what she is up to so far in London – the host city this year and also the home base of the Miss World Organization.

Valerie during the MW arrival dinner with fellow delegates

Upon arrival… she’s looking mighty pretty here.

She’s roommate with Miss Germany Egzonita Ala – with Valerie being half-German, I’m sure they would really hit it off big time.

Here’s one of her #OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) post

Silk Floral Dress by Eric Delos Santos and Shoes by Jojo Bragais

Valerie’s DOTW Costume

And here’s Valerie’s costume for Dances Of The World segment of the pageant. I’m hoping she’d be chosen to perform during the said segment.

And here’s one of the gowns she’ll be wearing for the Formal Evening Gown competition (this maybe for Top Model segment or the World Fashion Designer segment they used to have)

Valerie’s Gown from Michael Cinco

Ooh, she just had her 25th birthday yesterday so Happy Birthday Val!!! Here’s to hoping that you’d win the crown again!!!